How can you Maximize Short-Term Rental Revenue? Essential Strategies for Success in Property Management

In the competitive landscape of short-term rentals (STRs), property managers are continually seeking innovative strategies to increase their revenue and ensure the success of their properties. With the right approach to pricing, stay restrictions, and added services, you can significantly enhance your STR revenue. This blog will delve into practical and actionable tips for property managers looking to optimize their earnings, including the crucial aspect of ranking high on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs).

1. Improve your STR Revenue with Smart Stay Restrictions

Implementing minimum stay restrictions is a nuanced strategy that, when used correctly, can significantly boost your occupancy rates and, by extension, your revenue. During peak seasons or around special events, extending the minimum stay requirement can capitalize on high demand, ensuring your property is booked solid. 

However, it's essential to understand your market deeply; setting restrictions that don't align with traveler trends can deter potential guests. The key is to strike a balance, optimizing your booking calendar without limiting your property's appeal.

How to do this on Airbnb: 

‍

1. Go to the Calendar and choose the specific listing calendar you want to change.
2. In the side panel, select "Availability." 
3. Then, under "Trip length," adjust the settings for your minimum and maximum nights stay. 

‍

Remember, when configuring the minimum nights, you have the option to set custom rules for different days of the week—for instance, requiring a 2-night minimum stay for check-ins on Friday compared to a one-night minimum for check-ins on other days.

‍

If you have a PMS or CMS, you can also make these changes in bulk. This is especially helpful when you are listed on multiple OTAs. 

‍

2. Cater to Larger Groups

Accommodating larger groups can substantially increase your STR's attractiveness. By offering additional beds or sleeping arrangements, you not only expand your potential guest pool but also increase the perceived value of your rental. Charge appropriately for extra guests to ensure you're compensated for the added value you're providing. This approach not only boosts your revenue but also enhances the guest experience by offering flexible and cost-effective lodging solutions for larger parties.

How to do this on Airbnb: 

‍

1. Select "Listings" and choose the listing you wish to modify. 
2. Go to the "Listing editor" and select "Your space." 
3. Proceed to "Photo tour," then click on each space provided. 
4. Go to "Sleeping arrangements," where you can specify the type and number of beds available. 
5. Remember to click "Save" to apply your changes.
   ‍

3. Target Business Travelers and Digital Nomads

Seasonal fluctuations can impact STR revenue, but tapping into the business traveler and digital nomad market can provide a steady stream of bookings year-round. By equipping your rental with high-speed Wi-Fi, comfortable workspaces, and discounts for extended stays, you make your property appealing to guests traveling for work or embracing the remote work lifestyle. This demographic values convenience and reliability, so catering to their needs can help fill your off-season gaps.

Make sure to add these amenities to your description. Using the right keywords, like ‘digital nomad’ can help them find your listing on OTAs like Airbnb.

4. Explore Upselling Opportunities

Upselling is an underutilized strategy in the STR industry. Offering add-on services or premium upgrades can significantly enhance your revenue. Think creatively about what unique services or experiences you can provide, such as local tours, premium amenities, or special packages. By aligning with local businesses, you not only offer your guests an enriched experience but also support the local economy and forge valuable partnerships.

How to do this on Airbnb: 

On Airbnb, you can add optional services by listing the extra services you offer in your listings. For example, if you want to offer a laundry service for $10, you can include this in your description. 

‍

When a guest messages that he or she wants to use this service, you can use the resolution center's option of 'request payment for additional services'. Airbnb does not charge a guest or host fee on these charges.

5. Embrace Dynamic Pricing in your short term rental revenue management

Gone are the days of the "set it and forget it" pricing model. Nowadays dynamic pricing is key for staying competitive and for maximizing your STR revenue.This strategy involves adjusting your nightly rates based on real-time market data, considering factors such as seasonality, local events, and overall demand. 

Implementing a revenue management tool can automate this process, ensuring your prices are always competitive and aligned with market trends. Dynamic pricing not only maximizes your earnings during peak times but also helps fill gaps during slower periods.
‍

6. Ranking High on OTAs Ensures Success in Property Management

Having the best prices, using dynamic pricing, is a good start for increasing your revenue. But, if people can’t find your listings on the OTAs, it will not have the impact it could have. That is exactly why ranking high on the searchresults of the OTAs like Airbnb or Booking.com is so important. 

This way you will increase your bookings and be able to ask higher prices. To improve your ranking, focus on optimizing your listing with high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and competitive pricing. Encourage satisfied guests to leave positive reviews, as these greatly influence your listing's visibility and attractiveness. Additionally, maintain high responsiveness and provide exceptional service to ensure a top-notch guest experience, further boosting your OTA rankings and ensuring success in your property management.

Reed more about how to increase your visibility on Airbnb in this blog.

‍

The impact of ranking management is proven by Otamiser’s research. We found that implementing our machine learning algorithm which boosts the position of listings to the top of the ranking on OTAs, increases revenue on average by 24%.
‍

Conclusion: how do you increase STR revenue?

Increasing revenue in the STR market requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond simply listing your property online. By implementing dynamic pricing, strategically setting stay restrictions, catering to specific traveler demographics, exploring upselling opportunities, and focusing on OTA rankings, property managers can significantly boost their STR revenue. Remember, success in property management is not just about filling your calendar; it's about strategically optimizing every aspect of your operation to ensure maximum profitability and guest satisfaction.

‍

For more information on how you can increase your revenue as a property manager, book a call with one of our experts.